am planning to hike to Half Dome next summer. I have been reading a lot of information in preparation for the hike. Can you tell me if it is farther to hike from Glacier Point to HD rather than from Happy Isles? I understand it might be easier that way but how much farther?

I done it twice from Glacier Point, once when I was 18 and the other at age 19. I am now 38 and I can't wait to go back in Mid June of 2000. I speeping on the top still allowed and is it hard to get a wilderness permit on a Friday in mid June ??

It's about 1 or 2 miles farther to start from Glacier Point than from the Valley (Happy Isles), but I don't think it's easier. You have to hike down about 2000 feet from Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley as opposed to hiking up about 1000 feet from Happy Isles. You also have to go back up to Glacier Point unless you have someone drop you off or pick you up at the beginning or end.

It's an all-day hike from the Valley. I would leave soon after sunrise and allow plenty of time to do it. Bring plenty of water also and some gardening gloves for the cable at Half Dome. If you're in good shape you should have no

I?ve been thinking about doing the Half Dome hike. Previously, I?ve hiked Upper Yosemite Falls (from the valley to Yosemite Point back to the valley in 7.5 hours) and the Grand Canyon (from the south rim to bottom back to south rim in one day). I?m also moderately afraid of heights even though I overcame that initial fear for the hikes mentioned above. I also jog for 20-30 minutes about 3-4 times a week to try to stay in shape. I?m wondering if I?m prepared physically and mentally for this hike or if there?s more that I need to do (work out more, get more used to high places, etc.). Your feedback would be very helpful.

I think you would enjoy it. It takes about 4.5-5 hours to reach the top and 3.5-4 hours to return to Happy Isles. It gets a little hairy at the cables but nothing you can't overcome. There are usually other people there going up and down(It can actually get to be a traffic jam on the cables.) The view is definitly worth it.